The Klezmatics

Biography

Originally comprising Lorin Sklamberg (6 March 1956, Los Angeles, California, USA; vocals, accordion, keyboards), Frank London (b. 29 March 1958, New York City, USA; trumpet, cornet, keyboards, vocals), Alicia Svigals (b. 8 January 1963, New York City, New York, USA; violin, vocals), Paul Morrissett (b. 19 October 1956, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; bass, vocals), David Licht (b. 13 September 1954, Detroit, Michigan, USA; drums) and Matt Darriau (b. 21 February 1960, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; clarinet, saxophone, flute). Formed by London (who had previously played with David Byrne and the Art Ensemble Of Chicago, among many others), in New York in 1986, the Klezmatics set out to play the traditional Klezmer music of the Jewish communities of Eastern and Central Europe. However, the band instinctively added their own contemporary influences, (rock, funk, avant garde jazz), creating an old world/new world fusion of hard-edged, modern Yiddish dance music. In...